The magnificent run course at Falefa Falls and below, Stuart crosses for his second win in four races at the Falls.

The resurgent Stuart Young claimed a fiery victory in the opening Samoa Events race of the year at Falefa Falls on Saturday. He has been hunting for a while. Last year he finished second, twice, in the two Falefa races in 2016. His first victory was another two years back.

Not that he has been sitting idle on the side line. Far from it. Stuart and wife Mel had their first child arrive seven months ago. Slight readjustment in priorities, and speed in Stuart’s case is all a matter of relativity. His win on Saturday in 48 mins 08 seconds is actually slower than his two second place placings last year (43:09 & 46:45). You can see the trend.

“I’m actually getting slower”, he said with a leer. “I’ve had a baby and he’s been slowing me down.”

That baby actually was on the same race course with both parents a year ago. Mum Mel, is a super fit human being in her own right, she walked and trotted the 4km then while fully carrying. She won the race. Stuart, who ran the 10km race finished second.

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The child by all evidence, should be carrying super genes through his life if he is anything like his folks.​Behind Stuart in yesterday’s race was Alex Montoro. He was two minutes back in 50:30, slower too, but only slightly. His time two months back in November was 50:02. He would have broken that if he had someone sniping at his heels. But Misiuaita Fa’amoetauloa was well back in third.

The real race of the day took place between Phill Voss and Ty Feekings. Ty, should have run the 10km race, instead ran the 6km distance. From the go, Phill took off. He was first to round the Peninsula turning mark by a margin, and was heading back to the Falls for the win. But somewhere in that fluid trot of his, Ty found the extra gear to steal victory by thirty seconds. It was a good steal, all good fun in a day’s run.

Silivelia Lam Sam of Digicel claimed her first victory by winning the women’s 6km race.

There are two running races in February. The next is the Apia Harbour 10km on Saturday, 4th February. Two shorter distances will be part of that race. Then comes the South Coast 12km run from Lupe’s Beach Fales on 11th February. In addition there is the weekly Magik FM Family Fun run on Wednesday evenings at the Museum.​All this running will have everyone fit and ready for the Savai’i Marathon on 8th April.END